Book Review: UNSAFE HAVEN by Char Chaffin

For Kendall Martin, a small, remote village in Southwest Alaska seems like a good place to start over. On the run from an abusive relationship, she leaves everything familiar behind and begins a new life as owner of a small souvenir and sportsman trading post in picturesque Staamat.

Denn Nulo knows everyone in town: he’s the Chief of Police in Staamat. He’s lived there all his life, except for his college years, spent in Anchorage. Originally planning on practicing criminal law and living in Anchorage permanently, Denn is forced to change his plans when he receives word that his widowed mother has passed away, leaving his young sister, Luna, alone. Denn comes back to Staamat to care for Luna.

When Kendall meets Denn, she begins to believe there are truly good men in the world. Denn is everything she wants: strong, loving, dedicated to family, protective…and patient. There is instant attraction between them, but Kendall is leery of men, and Denn craves a serious relationship that includes marriage and children. Their courtship is a conflicting mix of hesitancy and passion, with Luna, desperately needing a mother figure in her life, cheering them on.

As Kendall learns how to trust again and her romance with Denn grows more intense, a local woman who’s had her eye on Denn for years releases a torrent of damaging jealousy…and the nightmare from Kendall’s past discovers where she’s hidden herself.

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This book grabbed me from the first page! When you’re on the run from an abusive sociopath of an ex-fiance, even a tiny, remote Alaskan village isn’t a safe place to hide.

At least, that’s what the heroine of UNSAFE HAVEN discovers after moving to Staamat, and this place is the definition of remote. Newcomers have to be flown in, because the roads around the town only go so far, and then they just – stop.

UNSAFE HAVEN was part suspense/thriller and part romance. It was a well-written story about two people with their own emotional scars and burdens coming together to find love, even with others set on keeping them apart. Kendall and Denn are realistic, multi-dimensional characters with perfect chemistry. All of the characters in this book popped off the pages, especially Kendall’s ex-fiance Roy. He’s one of the most loathsome villains I’ve read in a long time. Yikes!

UNSAFE HAVEN was a gripping story set in the perfect location. I’m partial to stories set in Alaska, and the author’s rich descriptions of the life and land there added to my enjoyment of the the story. If you’re a fan of romantic suspense novels with truly touching romances, then don’t miss UNSAFE HAVEN.

Rating: 4½ Stars

Disclosure: I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.